Patent US4706719A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5080132A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Refrigeration equipment service apparatus with quick-disconnect couplings
Assignee: SPX Technologies Inc
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Filing: 1990-11-05
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Granted: 1992-01-14
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Expires: 2010-11-05
Abstract
Abstract A system for servicing refrigeration equipment having at least one service fitting of first predetermined configuration includes devices for recovering, purifying and/or recharging refrigerant within such equipment. A manifold includes a first refrigerant hose or conduit having an end coupling for releasable connection to the service fitting of the equipment under service and a second refrigerant hose or conduit having an end coupling for selective releasable connection to service fittings on each of the refrigerant service devices. Each of the first and second couplings includes facility for automatically sealing the associated conduit upon disconnection from the fittings, and thereby sealingly retaining refrigerant within the conduits. Thus, the manifold permits the service technician to connect and disconnect refrigerant service devices at will to and from the refrigeration equipment under service, with the manifold conduits remaining charged with refrigerant between connections and thereby eliminating the necessity in use of prior art devices for bleeding air and refrigerant from the service system into the atmosphere.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth W. Manz
- 👤 Richard Parks
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 06:19
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L37/00; F16L37/08; F16L37/12; F16L37/1215; F16L37/28; F16L37/30; F16L37/32; F16L37/35; F25; F25B; F25B45/00; F25B2345/00; F25B2345/001; F25B2345/002; F25B2345/006; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/87917; Y10T137/87925; Y10T137/87941; Y10T137/87949; Y10T137/87957
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
177 words
A quick-disconnect coupling for connection to a fluid fitting having an open end of predetermined configuration and external threads circumferentially surrounding said open end, said coupling comprising: a body having an axial bore and an open end contoured to the telescopically received over said open end of said fitting, means at said bore open end for sealingly engaging said open end of said fitting when said body is received thereover, a collar externally mounted on said body projecting axially from said open end of said bore, and having a circumferential array of slots surrounding said open end and means between said slots for engaging said external threads on said fitting, an array of expansion means respectively radially movably positioned in said slots, and a locking sleeve telescopically slidably received over said collar, said locking sleeve having an internal shoulder for engaging said expansion means and urging said expansion means into said slots, and thereby circumferentially expanding said slots and said thread-engaging means, as a function of axial position of said locking sleeve with respect to said collar.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
177 words
A quick-disconnect coupling for connection to a fluid fitting having an open end of predetermined configuration and external threads circumferentially surrounding said open end, said coupling comprising: a body having an axial bore and an open end contoured to the telescopically received over said open end of said fitting, means at said bore open end for sealingly engaging said open end of said fitting when said body is received thereover, a collar externally mounted on said body projecting axially from said open end of said bore, and having a circumferential array of slots surrounding said open end and means between said slots for engaging said external threads on said fitting, an array of expansion means respectively radially movably positioned in said slots, and a locking sleeve telescopically slidably received over said collar, said locking sleeve having an internal shoulder for engaging said expansion means and urging said expansion means into said slots, and thereby circumferentially expanding said slots and said thread-engaging means, as a function of axial position of said locking sleeve with respect to said collar.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The coupling set forth in claim 1 wherein said locking sleeve further comprises an internal channel circumferentially surrounding said collar between said shoulder and said open end for releasably locking said expansion means in slot-expanding position within said slots.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
The coupling set forth in claim 2 wherein said expansion means comprise spherical balls, said slots including radially outwardly oriented pockets for receiving said balls, and wherein said shoulder on said locking sleeve is of conical contour coaxial with said collar from a lesser internal diameter adjacent to said channel is a greater internal diameter remotely of said channel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The coupling set forth in claim 3 further comprising means resiliently urging said locking sleeve toward said open end of said body.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The coupling set forth in claim 4 wherein said resiliently-urging means comprises a coil spring captured in compression between said collar and said locking sleeve.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
The coupling set forth in claim 5 wherein said collar includes an integral flange at an end thereof remote from said slots, wherein said locking sleeve includes a second internal shoulder axially opposed to said flange, and wherein said coil spring surrounds said collar between said flange and said second shoulder.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
88 words
The coupling set forth in claim 6 wherein said body has a external shoulder at a end thereof remote from said open end, wherein said collar has an internal shoulder axially opposed to said body open end and an internal groove adjacent to said body external shoulder, and further comprising a lock ring in said collar internal groove cooperating with said body shoulder to fasten said collar on said body permitting free rotation of said collar while restraining axial motion of said collar with respect to said body.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
64 words
The coupling set forth in claim 7 wherein said locking sleeve includes a second internal groove adjacent to said collar flange, and further comprising a second lock ring in said second locking sleeve groove fastening said locking sleeve onto said collar permitting free rotation of said locking sleeve on said collar while restraining axial motion of said locking sleeve with respect to said collar.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
83 words
The coupling set forth in claim 3 further comprising: a poppet disposed in said bore and including means adjacent to said open end for engaging the fitting as said body is fitted thereto, a spring in said bore urging said poppet toward said open end of said body, and valve seat means on said poppet and body at said open body end for sealingly closing said bore, abutting engagement of said means on said poppet and said fitting opening said valve seat means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The coupling set forth in claim 9 wherein said valve seat means includes a first internal shoulder in said bore adjacent to said open body end, and sealing means on said poppet for engaging said first shoulder.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
The coupling set forth in claim 10 wherein said bore further includes a second shoulder opposed to and spaced from said first shoulder, said spring comprising a coil spring captured in compression between said second shoulder and said poppet.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The coupling set forth in claim 11 further comprising passage means extending through said poppet.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The coupling set forth in claim 12 wherein said fitting-engaging means on said poppet comprises a snap ring carried at an end of said poppet within said opening.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
82 words
The coupling set forth in claim 9 wherein said fitting has an internal valve coaxial within said open end with a valve stem that extends to adjacent said open end of said fitting for normally blocking flow of fluid through said fitting and for permitting fluid flow upon depression of said stem through said open end, and wherein said coupling further includes: a tip on said poppet projecting from said open end of said body for abutting engagement with said valve stem.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3712336A
Cited
US4637432A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-01-13 | 1995-07-15 | 1996-01-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-01-13 | 1999-07-15 | 2000-01-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-01-13 | 2003-07-15 | 2004-01-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |